I-5 bridge collapse, aftermath

The Skagit Valley, Washington State and national-level leaders deals with the aftermath of the Interstate 5 bridge that collapsed into the Skagit River.

By By JOSHUA TRUJILLO

on May 24, 2013 1:37 PM

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM

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Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. There were no known fatalities. less

Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5... Photo-4681460.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the road the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the road the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the... Photo-4680137.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Northbound Interstate 5 traffic coming into Mount Vernon is backed up for about 10 miles at the kickoff of the Memorial Day weekend, the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. There were no known fatalities. less

Northbound Interstate 5 traffic coming into Mount Vernon is backed up for about 10 miles at the kickoff of the Memorial Day weekend, the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. ... more

In this photo provided by WSDOT, the destroyed north end of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River is shown. The bridge at top is the Riverside Drive bridge, one of the alternate routes around the closed Interstate. less

In this photo provided by WSDOT, the destroyed north end of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River is shown. The bridge at top is the Riverside Drive bridge, one of the alternate routes around the closed ... more

Photo: WSDOT Photo, SEATTLEPI.COM

In this photo provided by WSDOT, the destroyed north end of the... Photo-4682481.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. There were no known fatalities. less

Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Inspectors look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5... Photo-4681472.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from a boat on the river.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from a boat on the river.

Photo: Photo Via NTSB, NTSB

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board,... Photo-4685223.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the road the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the road the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

A truck suspected of hitting the bridge sits on the side of the the... Photo-4680163.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Damage is shown on a truck suspected of hitting the bridge the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. Three people who fell in the river were rescued. less

Damage is shown on a truck suspected of hitting the bridge the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Damage is shown on a truck suspected of hitting the bridge the day... Photo-4680164.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman, center, looks over the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River. Photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board.

NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman, center, looks over the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River. Photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board.

A man walks along South Burlington Boulevard, and backed up freeway traffic, the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

A man walks along South Burlington Boulevard, and backed up freeway traffic, the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

A man walks along South Burlington Boulevard, and backed up freeway... Photo-4680156.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Governor Jay Inslee, center, along with Suzan DelBene, left, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste and U.S. Senator Patty Murray look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. less

Governor Jay Inslee, center, along with Suzan DelBene, left, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste and U.S. Senator Patty Murray look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit ... more

Riverside Drive is shown with backed up traffic the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

Riverside Drive is shown with backed up traffic the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Riverside Drive is shown with backed up traffic the day after the... Photo-4680183.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Northbound Interstate 5 is closed the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

Northbound Interstate 5 is closed the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Northbound Interstate 5 is closed the day after the Interstate 5... Photo-4680185.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the Skagit River between Mount. Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the... Photo-4680139.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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A sign warns of the closure of I-5 ahead the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

A sign warns of the closure of I-5 ahead the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

A sign warns of the closure of I-5 ahead the day after the... Photo-4680193.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Governor Jay Inslee recognizes Mount Vernon battalion chief Mike Voss, who was incident commander as the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. less

Governor Jay Inslee recognizes Mount Vernon battalion chief Mike Voss, who was incident commander as the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. ... more

The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer plummeted into the water when the section fell. less

The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the Skagit River between Mount Vernon and Burlington, Wash., collapsed. Three people were rescued from the water. Two cars and one travel
trailer ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

The crumpled I-5 bridge is shown the day after the bridge over the... Photo-4680196.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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From left, Skagit County Sheriff Will Reichardt, congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Senator Patty Murray, Governor Jay Inslee and State Patrol Chief John Batiste look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. less

From left, Skagit County Sheriff Will Reichardt, congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Senator Patty Murray, Governor Jay Inslee and State Patrol Chief John Batiste look over the scene the day after the Interstate 5 ... more

Damage is shown on still-standing sections as crews inspect the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. less

Damage is shown on still-standing sections as crews inspect the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were ... more

South Burlington Boulevard is shown the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed. Three people, two cars and one travel trailer went into the water and were rescued. less

South Burlington Boulevard is shown the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed. Three people, two cars and one travel trailer went into the water and ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

South Burlington Boulevard is shown the day after the Interstate 5... Photo-4681479.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from the south end of the bridge. The view is looking north.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from the south end of the bridge. The view is looking north.

Photo: Photo Via NTSB, NTSB

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board,... Photo-4685224.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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Crews inspect the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell into the cold water. less

Crews inspect the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Mt. Vernon and Burlington collapsed into the river. Three people were rescued after two cars and a travel trailer fell ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, SEATTLEPI.COM

Crews inspect the scene the day after the Interstate 5 bridge over... Photo-4681336.63179 - StamfordAdvocate

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In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from a boat on the river.

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, the collapsed section of the Interstate 5 bridge is shown from a boat on the river.

Photo: Photo Via NTSB, NTSB

In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board,... Photo-4685225.63179 - StamfordAdvocate